FW: The Scientific Enquirer -- spread the word

[Karen Hoffmann]

FYI. 

Hope all are well!

Karen

--

Karen Hoffmann

Freelance Journalist

412-916-4509

http://karhoff.wordpress.com

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From: "Toiv, Barry" <barry...@aau.edu>
Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:30:07 -0400
Cc: "Speicher, Ann" <ann_sp...@aau.edu>, "Smouse, Lajauna" <lajauna...@aau.edu>
Subject: The Scientific Enquirer -- spread the word

Dear Public Affairs Network member –
 
AAU needs your help.
 
As you know, federal funding of scientific research is under considerable pressure in Congress, due in part to the nation’s fiscal situation but also due in part to a lack of understanding of basic research among many critics.  This is particularly true when it comes to “funny-sounding” science, studies that appear to be silly or wasteful but that nevertheless have or could have great value.  “Under the Microscope,” the critical report on NSF issued recently by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), is a good example of how easy it is to attack the funding of such research.  As we’ve reported before, we’re very concerned that this year’s appropriations process will see attacks on individual grants and perhaps efforts to eliminate NSF’s social and behavioral sciences directorate entirely.
 
AAU has taken on the challenge of explaining how funny science is actually very serious in what we hope is an amusing, informative way by publishing the Scientific Enquirer, an imitation tabloid that tells sensational stories about funny-sounding science.  We are now on our third edition.  This edition, while it does not say so, actually addresses research that comes under attack in the Coburn report. All three editions can be found here:
 
http://www.aau.edu/research/Science_Enq.aspx?id=12370
 
I would appreciate your taking a look at the Scientific Enquirer and passing it along, with a link to the third edition or to the page that has all three editions.  Tweet it, link to it, take note of it on your Facebook pages, send it to science reporters, bloggers, and whoever else you think might find it interesting.

I should note that AAU interns had a lot to do with the creation of the Scientific Enquirer and do a lot of the research and the initial writing of each issue.  Our policy staff, Toby Smith and Josh Trapani, along with the public affairs staff, play a supervisory role.
 
Thanks for your help with this.  And let us know what you think.
 
Barry
 
 
Barry Toiv
Vice President for Public Affairs
Association of American Universities
1200 New York Avenue, NW
Suite 550
Washington, DC 20005
barry...@aau.edu <mailto:barry...@aau.edu>
(202) 898-7847 (office)
(301) 404-7220 (mobile)
Visit AAU at www.aau.edu <http://www.aau.edu/>  and follow us on Twitter @AAUniversities <https://twitter.com/#!/AAUniversities> .
 
 



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